Instant dial-a-flow cap

ABSTRACT

An instant dial-a-flow geometrically-shaped cap for liquid containers consisting of a molded spout in one sector with a vent passage and hole diametrically opposite to smooth the flow of the liquid contents of the container when pouring or drinking, if potable, with a snap-on perimeter featuring a serrated edge for ease in grasping to dial, snap-on or snap-off or follow CLOSE arrows when dialing full or partial flow or closure. A snap-on under disc with varying openings and closure for lift-out top cans is contemplated as well as full quadrant turning of the cap for square cans. The cap is pollution free as it is not discarded but instead washed and reused. Assembly of the cap and/or disc and dialing is noiseless. With no wearing parts no maintenance is required.

United States Patent [1 1 Brown [in 3,734,360 1 May22, 1973 [54] INSTANT DIAL-A-FLOW CAP [22] Filed: June 21, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 154,794

Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Attorney-Roland Clough Brown ABSTRACT An instant dial-a-flow geometrically-shaped cap for liquid containers consisting of a molded spout in one sector with a vent passage and hole diametrically opposite to smooth the flow of the liquid contents of the container when pouring or drinking, if potable, with a snap-on perimeter featuring a serrated edge for ease in grasping to dial, snap-on or snap-off or follow CLOSE arrows when dialing full or partial flow or closure. A snap-on under disc with varying openings and closure for lift-out top cans is contemplated as well as full quadrant turning of the cap for square cans. The cap is pollution free as it is not discarded but instead washed and reused. Assembly of the cap and/or disc and dialing is noiseless. With no wearing parts no maintenance is required.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures Patented May 22, 1973 3,734,360

II n liiiiiliiliiiii W WBW INSTANT DIAL-A-FLOW CAP The invention relates to a new and useful, snap-on type, instant dial-a-flow cap and, in particular, to a can cover that may be rotated from closed to partially open to fully open positions for pouring, or drinking the liquid contained in the can selected, or the reverse, as indicated on the top of the can cover and as a unique flow control of the can opening.

The present invention is directed toward the controlled emptying of liquids contained in cans such as hot or cold tea, beer, juices, soft drinks, oil, in fact, any liquid not too viscous to pour readily, for pouring, or drinking of potable liquid foods when convenient to do so on picnics, at the zoo, circus or golf links, etc., even at home at meals or when just relaxing. Usually made in circular form to fit normal sizes of cans on the market, a square form is contemplated to fit over square cans in which case the cap is snapped off and rotated one quadrant to effect temporary closure.

The cap is made of plastic, plastic foam, milk cartontype paper, porcelain with suitable washer around the perimeter for a seal, etc., and shaped round or square of convenient size for the use intended with snap-on perimeter and containing a spout for use in pouring or drinking the liquid from the can, and with an air vent passage leading from the throat of the spout to a vent hole in the can top across the diameter from the spout.

To put the cap to use, first the top of the can is cleaned by washing and drying it, then the opening in the can is made by notching with a can opener, or if the can is equipped with a pull ring or an easy open tab, open the keyhole slot and discard the ring or tab, now snap-on the cap and turn it to the desired opening to pour or drink the liquid contents, closing the opening as-desired to regulate the flow or cut it off entirely. When the can is empty, remove the cap for washing and hang it up by the vent hole on a peg for drying and reuse.

The purpose of the instant dial-a-flow cap is to facilitate the regulated flow of the liquid contents of the can when pouring, and especially when drinking from the can cap spout. The cap may be turned like a dial to regulate the flow from full to partial and to complete cutoff. The vent hole and passage permits the air to enter the can through the throat of the spout as the liquid leaves the can for smoother flow.

The cap is in one piece and requires no maintenance except washing after each use. It has no wearing parts. It is inexpensive to own in both the plastic and the porcelain models. It is usually used with insulating plastic foam or porcelain blanket-type can holders when the can contents are hot or cold. It requires no special knowledge to use the cap. It is manufactured in various colors and tones with or without decorative designs, usually to match the can holder.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a fitted spout for an opened can of liquid to facilitate pouring or drinking the contents directly from the can without spillage or the use of other containers.

Another object provides for regulating the flow of the liquid from the can to another container or directly to the mouth from full to any partial flow desired to complete cut-off of flow.

A further object permits the opening and closing of the can outlet by a simple turning of a round cap like a dial or the removal of a square cap and turning it one quadrant and replacing it by simply snapping it off the can, then on again in the new position.

Still another object of hygienic value is a safety feature and guards against accidental cutting of the lips or tongue, with possible infection, when drinking directly from an opening made in the top of the can on its sharp edges.

Yet another object insures smoother flow by means of the air vent hole and vent passage to the throat of the spout for air entry as the liquid contents of the can are emptied.

Other ancillary objects will be apparent from the following description when read in the light of the drawings in which:

The single sheet drawing depicts three views: Instant Dial-a-Flow Cap:

FIG. 1 -Plan;

FIG. 2 -Side view truncated section 1-1; and

FIG. 3-Front broken view with partial top section 22.

FIG. 1 is a broken open plan view of the round cap 1, showing vent hole 2, vent passage 3, can outlet 4, spout 5, can for fluids 6, can holder cover 8, section cuts and directions: 11 and 22 and CLOSE arrow direction indicators on dial top.

FIG. 2 is a truncated sectional side view 1-1 of the round cap 1, showing vent hole 2, vent passage 3, can outlet 4, spout 5, can for liquids 6, plastic foam insulating blanket can holder 7 and can holder cover 8.

FIG. 3 is a partial top section 22 front broken view of the round cap, showing vent hole 2, vent passage 3, can outlet 4, spout 5, can 6, can holder 7, can holder cover 8 and serrations 9.

For assembly for use the cap 1 snaps on the top of the notched, slotted or punched-open can 6 and turned (dialed) into the desired position with spout 5 over the can outlet 4 or beyond it for closure by following either CLOSE arrow direction on the top of the cap 1 by grasping the serrated edge 9 of the cap 1 and rotating it while holding the can 6, or can holder 7 if so equipped, fast. To disassemble unsnap the cap 1 from the can 6, wash and hang it on peg, utilizing vent hole 2, to dry, awaiting reuse.

The invention may be used for unpotable oils and liquids when it is necessary to open the can to use a portion of the contents, and some more at another time later, and when it is desirable to close the opening between uses to avoid odors, losses by accidental spillage or to limit access of vermin or air circulation causing spoilage.

For illustrative purposes one form of the invention is shown on the drawing but two forms are mentioned in the descriptive herein, and the assembly applicable is disclosed; however, the invention is not limited to the details or the exact forms shown or described, as major deviations in the shape and size of the liquid container from the illustrated form are possible without modifying the principles involved. For example, a can container with a complete lift-out top would contemplate a snap-on disc below the cap with a slot outlet therein to accomplish the same result.

I claim:

1. An integral, reuseable closure cap adapted to fit conventional rimmed cans containing liquids, consisting of a substantially flat, disc cover portion having a rim means about its periphery adapted to snap on and engage a can rim and retain the cover portion on the throat of the spout to provide for the venting of air from the second opening through the first opening and into the interior of the can, the cover portion rim means enabling the cover portion to be rotated relative to the top surface of the can to positions wherein the first opening is in, partially in, or out of registry with an opening in the can top. 

1. An integral, reuseable closure cap adapted to fit conventional rimmed cans containing liquids, consisting of a substantially flat, disc cover portion having a rim means about its periphery adapted to snap on and engage a can rim and retain the cover portion on the can with its bottom surface in contact with the top surface of the can, the rim means havinG multiple serrations about its periphery to facilitate grasping and turning of the cap on the can, the cover portion having a first opening and formed with a laminar flow-shaped spout in communication with said first opening, a second opening in the cover portion adjacent to the cover periphery, a tunnel-like radial passageway formed in the cover portion between the second opening and the throat of the spout to provide for the venting of air from the second opening through the first opening and into the interior of the can, the cover portion rim means enabling the cover portion to be rotated relative to the top surface of the can to positions wherein the first opening is in, partially in, or out of registry with an opening in the can top. 